
Catch 25 top riders, including many of New Zealand’s most skilled freeriders and some of the best in the world, as they compete for the final four spots at February 15th’s Natural Selection Bike. Dream Track is free to attend and open to the public.
Mt. Dewar, Tāhuna Queenstown, New Zealand (February 3, 2025) — Only four spots remain to compete in the debut of Natural Selection Bike on February 15 on Mt. Dewar. On February 7, Natural Selection is inviting the community to watch the action as 25 freerider mountain bikers vie for a Dream Ticket to Natural Selection Bike during the final qualifier: Natural Selection Dream Ticket.
Natural Selection’s Dream Ticket is being held at Queenstown’s famous Dream Track (Wynyard Jump Park) this Friday, February 7th from midday until 2pm. This qualifying event is free to attend and no ticket is needed. Tickets for the main event, Natural Selection Bike on February 15 are available now at https://naturalselectionbike.flicket.co.nz/.
Dream Ticket will feature 14 men and 11 women including locals like Matt Beggs, Antone Morgan alongside freeriders from around the world. The event will consist of a two-hour jam format which will see the athletes given multiple runs to put down their best tricks as they work to impress the judges.
Dream Ticket Athletes:
Women
Charlie Lester-Rosson (Rotorua)
Antone Morgan (Wānaka)
Emma Olofsson (Queenstown-based)
Chelsea Kimball
Lucy Van Eesteren
Kaia Jensen
Angie Marino
Blake Hansen
Kirsten Van Horne
Janelle Soukup
Natasha Bradley
Men
Andy Lehmann
Dennis Luffman
Jim Monro
David Nani Perez (Queenstown)
Saul Saunders
Freidrich Schmidt
Billy Spurway
Finley Kirschenmann
Louis Reboul
Matt Begg (Queenstown)
Soren Farenholtz
Leo Erhardt
Marc Diekmann
Ryan Rodriguez
NST Bike Director Todd Barber is encouraging the community to come down and check out the action.
“The competition is free to attend and we’ve got a few Queenstown and Wānaka locals competing so we’re encouraging the community to come along and show their support. It’s a great way to get everyone excited ahead of the main event, which is Natural Selection Bike on February 15th.”
Barber says the top two men and top two women riders from the event will earn a spot to compete at Natural Selection Bike.
“It’s a great opportunity for local talent to gain an invite to the main event. There are so many local rippers from around this area so I know Dream Ticket is going to be an amazing display of athletes pushing the boundaries to gain the final invites to compete at Natural Selection Bike.”
Queenstown athlete Matt Begg says he can’t wait to compete in front of a home crowd.
“Dream Ticket is going to be unreal,” said Begg.
“Mountain biking has such a great community in Queenstown so I’m really stoked that this is being held here. It’s going to be an amazing competition and it’s going to inspire even more people to give it a go.
“I’m excited to get this opportunity and I’ll be doing my best to get one of those Natural Selection Bike qualification spots, that’d be the cherry on top.”
Natural Selection Bike on February 15 will feature 26 of the world’s top mountain bike athletes (see full list here), competing on the all-new venue on Mt Dewar in Queenstown. The competition is made up of a men’s and women’s division and will combine the three most dynamic disciplines in mountain biking: Big Mountain Freeride, Slopestyle, and Downhill in one line.
Tickets for Natural Selection Bike are selling fast with less than two weeks until the event, find them at https://naturalselectionbike.flicket.co.nz/. Then watch the competition on Red Bull TV and YouTube starting March 6.
The New Zealand Government is supporting Natural Selection Bike Aotearoa through its Major Event Fund and will showcase New Zealand as a world-class mountain bike destination through the global broadcast. Natural Selection is proud to partner with adidas FiveTen, Canyon Brewery, Mons Royale, Turtlebox, POC, and A New Earth Project. For partnership opportunities please contact [email protected].
About Natural Selection Tour
Founded by snowboard legend Travis Rice, the Natural Selection Tour is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best riders competing on innovative, natural venues. The Tour has evolved to include mountain biking, skiing and surfing. With Natural Selection Bike, we are now witnessing the evolution of freeride mountain biking on a global scale. Natural Selection strives to inspire a deeper connection with nature while pushing the boundaries of sport.
NaturalSelectionTour.com
@naturalselectionbike